Michael Thal- Advice from an Author

Michael Thal is a wonderful author, with heartfelt books and knowledge of a good read for young people. He stopped by today to give us newbie authors tips on how to promote on the radio-

How to become a guest on talk radio

By Michael Thal

My friend Joe loves my novel, Goodbye Tchaikovsky. He said, “The book is heart-felt, deals with an important issue (hearing loss), and it tugs at any reader’s emotions.”

Reviewer Bob Rich said, “It’s not often that a book aimed at Young Adults makes me want to cry. Michael Thal managed this with his story of David, a violin virtuoso who suddenly went profoundly deaf the day after his twelfth birthday.”

More people had to know about Goodbye Tchaikovsky and talk radio is a great place to promote it. So I went into the Google search engine and queried “Talk Shows + Los Angeles”. Then I sent e-mails to grab the attention of producers.

Yes, I mentioned Goodbye Tchaikovsky, but since interviewing authors of fiction isn’t on the top of talk show topics, I picked the central issue of the novel—hearing loss. In my query I explained that 17% of American adults report some degree of hearing loss. That’s 36 million people! I ended my pitch with this: “My goal is to inform the public about the difficulties of hearing loss and perhaps teach them how to interact with those who suffer from this unseen disability.”

The next day I received an e-mail from David Cruz’s producer. The David Cruz Show airs weekdays from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. weekdays on KTLX AM1150. She said, “David is interested in your novel and your experiences with hearing loss. Can you be on the show?” She gave me a choice of dates.

The talk show experience was exhilarating. David Cruz asked a few questions and I spent ten minutes discussing Goodbye Tchaikovsky and the problems inherent to hearing loss. Since I’m also a teacher, he had a question about a recent Los Angeles educational issue that has been in the news. There was an added bonus, too. For two days my novel and a link to purchase it was on David’s website.

After my appearance, friends called to wish me congratulations. They felt I sounded professional and informative. I was elated.

There are just so many talk show hosts in the Los Angeles area. I broadened my search and uncovered a valuable free website, Radio Guest List.com. Once a speaker signs up, he or she will receive a daily list of talk shows looking for experts in various fields or on a plethora of topics. Today, I read each producer query and respond to the ones that would be interested in my topic.

Speaking on a radio talk show is a wonderful way of getting word out about your book or field of expertise. You get exposure to thousands of listeners and it’s fun.

The Legend of Koolura:

http://tinyurl.com/a63jamp

Goodbye Tchaikovsky:
http://tinyurl.com/bh95ht7

Author Website:
http://www.michaelthal.com/

Book Trailers:

Koolurahttp://tinyurl.com/a69ysgp

Tchaikovskyhttp://tinyurl.com/a8uc6tx

Fake Fiance, Real Revenge– Roxanne Snopek

Blurb:

Real-estate tycoon Mitchell Granger has a problem. In order to secure a lucrative deal with an eccentric client, he told the teeny white lie that he was engaged…and now he needs to prove it. Even worse? The only name that came to mind was Sabrina Becker, the girl he was never good enough for growing up, and who still lives near his family ranch.

Sabrina doesn’t mind posing as Mitch’s fake fiancée—no, she doesn’t mind at all. One, she’ll make him pay with new construction for her business. And two, Sabrina’s got a plan to exact revenge on her first love, the boy who left her and Three River Ranch behind. She’ll pretend so well, he’ll fall in love with her…and then he’ll get a taste of what true heartbreak feels like.

But as Mitch sheds his corporate skin and picks up his dusty jeans and cowboy hat, will both his and Sabrina’s grand plans get derailed by love?

Author bio

Roxanne Snopek is the author of ten books, more than 150 articles, and has had short fiction published in several anthologies. She is currently serving as Vice-President of the Romance Writers of America Greater Vancouver Chapter. She and her family live in the Pacific Northwest, where she’s at work on more love stories for Entangled Publishing.

Roxanne Snopek has been writing professionally for more than two decades and is the author of eight books, more than 150 articles, and has had short fiction published in several anthologies. Her non-fiction has appeared in a wide variety of publications, from The Vancouver Sun and Reader’s Digest to newsletters for Duke, Cornell and Tufts Universities. She’s done corporate copywriting on topics ranging from pet food for Iams/Eukanuba, to employee profiles for VersaCold to air-conditioner maintenance for Home Depot.

In 2006, her first novel Targets of Affection was published by Cormorant Books, under the name RGWillems. When her editor asked for more, she happily wrote the second and third in the series, certain she was on her way to fame and fortune. Then the economy fell apart, her editor stopped taking her calls and Roxanne realized it wasn’t going to be that easy.

After some wallowing and navel-gazing, she found Romance Writers of America, one of the largest professional writers’ organizations in the world, and began to seriously study the craft of fiction writing. Roxanne is currently Vice-President of the Greater Vancouver Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. They voted her in, so they can’t complain.

In her spare time, Roxanne is also the human resource manager for a veterinary hospital. She and her family live in the Pacific Northwest, where she’s always at work on the next book.

On a personal note:

Take a look my blog*, in which I open up a tiny window into the uncharted landscape that is My Brain, while dancing between the boundaries of Too Much Information and Oops, Now I Need a Pen Name. Mostly it’s just Real Life, family, art, writing, yoga and why some mornings, you just shouldn’t talk.

*or don’t. Really, it’s up to you.

WebsiteTwitterFacebook

 Buy Links

Fake Fiance, Real Revenge:  AmazonB&NiBookstore

His Reluctant Rancher: Amazon

Three River Ranch: Amazon

X5- Diana Stager

I had the privilege of hosting author, Diana Stager, and having her contribute a blog and some extra info on her hot new book, X5. Read on for a sneak peek!

I think every author begins their career with dreams of selling millions of books and becoming an overnight sensation. We all quickly realize that that only happens in fairy tales (unless your name is E.L. James). It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and the ability to continue producing work that people want to buy. It doesn’t happen overnight, but success will come to those who work for it. I decided to tell you about recently meeting my all-time favorite author and shining example of what can happen given enough time. Kelley Armstrong is the NYT best-selling author of the Darkest Powers trilogy and the Darkness Rising trilogy for young adults, as well as the Women of the Otherworld series for adults. In addition, she’s started a new adult series about a woman who finds out her parents are serial killers, and a middle grade book based on Norse mythology.

Last week, Kelley was doing a signing at a bookstore near my house. I was lucky to get in because a kind soul had given an extra ticket to the staff in case anyone needed one. And I did! The line-up to get in went down the entire block and it made me think about the first time I went to see her do a signing about seven years ago. For that appearance, there might have been twenty people in the store. It amazed me how much more popular she’s become since then. And rightly so, because she’s an incredible writer.

Luck continued to be with me that evening because Kelley always brings swag with her to her appearances and gives them to people who ask questions. Well, she picked me to answer a question, and I went home with an Advanced Reading Copy of her next release, not out until November! It’s the final book in a series about a hitwoman. And of course, once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down, staying up until three in the morning to finish it.

I will continue to go to Kelley’s signings when I can, because I can’t ever imagine getting tired of it. And even though the crowds have grown, she continues to spend time talking to each reader, answering questions, and personalizing every autograph. I have more than 10 books signed by her and they’re all different. As an author just beginning my career, it’s inspiring to see someone who’s become so successful. I know it could be years before I can line people up around the corner for a signing (people who aren’t related to me anyway), but it’s possible. And maybe someday there will be readers out there who stay up all night to read my latest release, and who will come to as many signings as they can. I hope you enjoy reading X5 as much as I enjoyed writing it!

X5- Summary- (Excerpt to follow)

Being a socially awkward geek with anger management issues has made Travis Armstrong an outcast, but on top of that, he has visions of the future. Not that he can tell anyone, except in an anonymous online forum. When he takes a chance and meets with another group member, he winds up at The Bunker, where everyone is like him, and where, finally, he feels like he belongs.

Tara Gage has been at The Bunker since she was thirteen years old. Even among the residents there, she’s unique, and her special talents lead her to discover that The Bunker is not the safe haven it seems to be. She’s determined to escape and get back to her family.

When they each have visions of the other’s death, Travis and Tara know they have to run. With their captors desperate to get them back, they must rely on each other to get away before their visions become reality.

 

Excerpt

My foot jiggled in time to the song running through my head as I waited for my turn at the polygraphs. Travis was nowhere to be seen, and I was glad of that. Or that’s what I told myself whenever I became aware of my disappointment at not seeing him. He drove me crazy, and really didn’t seem at all exceptional, but a growing part of me didn’t care about that, and just longed to be near him. Disgusted with myself, I tried to think of something else.

My thoughts were cut short when Travis and Mike entered the hallway, both looking upset about something. Their friendship puzzled me. I know Mike was trying to prod Travis into being more of a leader than a loner, but as far as I was concerned, it wasn’t working. He was too introverted, too willing to follow along with what the rest of us were doing, or else go off by himself. Both of them sent anxious glances my way, setting me on edge, and just as I stood to go talk to them, the attendant called my name. Casting a last look their way, I turned and entered the polygraph room.

I tried to get through it as quickly as I could so I could find out why Mike had looked so worried. Of course, because I was in a hurry, things took twice as long as normal, and every second wasted irritated the crap out of me. By the time I returned to the hall, Mike was nowhere to be seen, and Travis was pacing back and forth. It seemed I had no choice but to talk to him.

Taking huge strides, I made it to Travis’s side quickly and tapped him on the shoulder. When he turned, I hesitated for just a moment when my eyes locked with his, my stomach fluttering. Pull it together, Tara! I took a breath and then said, “What’s up with Mike?”

Travis’s eyes darted around and he turned to look over each shoulder before giving me a weird look. “Not much,” he said finally, though he seemed to be trying to communicate something with his eyes. I frowned, and watched as his eyes widened, then darted to the side, his eyebrows lifting and then drawing together. What the hell? I shrugged and shook my head. Whatever he was trying to tell me wasn’t coming across at all. He sighed and opened his mouth to say something else when something behind me caught his attention.

Turning, I saw a couple of armed security guards rushing into the polygraph room Mike had gone in. Remembering Cam, a band tightened around my stomach as my heart began to pound. Security only came to the polygraph rooms for one reason, and my fears were confirmed a moment later when they exited, holding Mike in between them.

“Mike!” I screamed, leaping forward to try to get to him. They couldn’t be taking him away! What had he seen? My efforts to reach his side were blocked when Travis grabbed me from behind and wrapped his long arms around me. “Travis, let me go! Let me go!” I struggled against his grip, but it was like iron and I was getting nowhere. Lifting one foot, I kicked backward and connected with his shin. I heard him swear, but he didn’t loosen his hold on me.

“Tara, stop,” he whispered in my ear. “He knew this was going to happen.”

I ignored him and screamed after Mike again. The security team nearly had him to the entrance to the administrative section of The Bunker. “No!” I yelled. “No, you can’t take him! Mike!”

His eyes were full of pain when he turned to look at me one last time. I saw his mouth form the words, “I love you.” And then the door slammed closed behind him. Hot tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart ached, and though my throat was raw and sore, I couldn’t stop screaming. Travis wouldn’t let me go no matter how hard I pulled against him. My squirming and wiggling wasn’t doing any good, but I couldn’t stop. The rational part of my brain knew that Mike was gone and nothing I did would help, but at the same time if I didn’t try, I’d be giving up.

Suddenly I felt a sharp pain in my arm and when I turned my head, I saw one of the infirmary staff standing with a syringe in her hand. I tried to say something to her, but the edges of my vision were going fuzzy, and then everything went dark.

Author Bio

Diana Stager never met a book she didn’t like. An avid reader from a very early age, she discovered she loved writing her own stories down. She dreamed of being able to write a book, but more sensible ambitions shoved that dream onto the back burner. Over the years, she dabbled with the written word, but always had difficulty finding the right story. Then, one day the light bulb went on, an idea was born, and the rest is history (so cliché but so true).

Diana lives in Cambridge, Ontario in a house full of books. In the space that’s left, are her husband of 13 years, two children, and a cat, all of whom are adorable. She used to have a creepy fish, but sadly, he now swims in the big tank in the sky. She’s an elementary school teacher, who loves music and art.

Website: www.DianaStager.com       Facebook         Twitter

Buy Links:  Evernight Teen             Amazon

Leaping Lanny!

Wrestling with Rhyme!

 

 

Have a glimpse into the poetic soul of “The Genius” of the World Wrestling Federation.

 

 

 

 

 

Excerpt

Hillbilly Jim

From the foothills of Kentucky

Pioneered by Daniel Boone

Comes a rompi’ stompin hero

Hotter than the month of June

He was discovered by Hulk Hogoan

Just a diamond in the rough

Hillbilly Jim is not a quitter

When the rasslin’ gets too tough

But from the streets of San Francisco

Comes a man who doesn’t seem right

And they call him Brutus Beefcake

But you out to see him fight

Johnny Valian made the challenge

Putting both men on the linb

One night in San Diego

Saw the end of Hillbilly Jim

Pro Wrestling is a battlefield

And danger signs our checks

For what they’ve done to big Jim’s leg

I hope he breaks their necks

Father Time’s the greatest healer

Jim will take some if he’s smart

Just remember what was damaged

Was his leg and not his heart

When the Hulkster takes his vitamins

Works out and says his prayers

You can bet Big Jim get mentioned

To the big man way upstairs

 

 

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/Leaping-Lanny-Wrestling-Rhyme-ebook/dp/B00ESV995E/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_d_3

Going All In

 

Blurb:   Professional hockey players Marcus, Alex, and Chris attend their team’s Vegas Night fundraiser unaware their lives will change forever. Can they face their difficulties and win the most important game of their lives – the game of love? These guys are going all in…

 HEDGING HIS BET: Cassandra Carr

Marcus Mitchell never thought he’d find the love of his life with champagne dripping from her shirt rather than walking the runway at Fashion Week like the models he usually preferred, but you can’t always plan these things. Annalise Alonso isn’t going to make it easy for him, though—he’s going to have to work for her love. Now, Marcus is taking a shot and hedging his bet on love.

CASTING THE DIE: Isabo Kelly

After she sees his murder in a vision, Nathalie Mendez has to warn star hockey goalie Alexander Semenov of the danger. To keep him alive, she risks exposing her many secrets. But once the die is cast, her biggest gamble involves her heart.

 PLAYING HER GAME: Stacey Agdern

Melanie Gould has been dubbed ‘The Girl in the Lace Corset’. But she doesn’t always like to be the loud mouth defender of the romances she writes, and is definitely not good at playing the games relationships require. Of course, she’s never gone head to head with a guy like Chris Emerson. Chris is trying to behave, and someone like Melanie would destroy his plans to stay under the radar. So what happens when the ‘Girl in the Lace Corset’ and the NHL’s most infamous bad boy go one on one?  Will they play her game?  Will they play his? Or will they both end up in the penalty box?

Author Bios:

Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning erotic romance writer with Ellora’s Cave, Siren Publishing, Sybarite Seductions, Decadent Publishing, and Loose Id. She lives in Western New York with her husband, Inspiration, and her daughter, Too Cute for Words. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra is the co-founder of two successful group blogs, Romancing the Jock and Dirty Birdies, and participates in several others as a contributor. Recently she was re-elected president of Western New York Romance Writers.

For more information about Cassandra, check out her website at http://www. booksbycassandracarr.com, “like” her Facebook fan page at http://www.facebook.com/ AuthorCassandraCarr or follow her on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ Cassandra_Carr.

Isabo Kelly is the award-winning author of multiple science fiction, fantasy and paranormal romances. After finishing her Ph.D. in animal behavior in Ireland, Isabo settled down to write full time. She currently lives in New York City with her brilliant Irish husband, her two heroes-in-training sons, and her mad dog.

For more on Isabo and her books, visit her at www.isabokelly.com, follow her on Twitter www.twitter.com/IsaboKelly or friend her on Facebook www.facebook.com/IsaboKelly

Stacey Agdern is the two time award winning Romance Specialist at Posman Books, an independent bookstore located in Grand Central Terminal. She has a regular column, ‘Dispatches from the TBR Pile’ at ‘HEA’, USA Today’s online romance blog.  She has also written reviews and commentary for publications such as Barbara Vey’s ‘Beyond Her Book’ Column at Publishers Weekly’s online site, Heroes and Heartbreakers, Criminal Element, Romantic Times Magazine and Romance at Random.  She has given presentations on the effective use of booksellers at regional and national conferences.  You can find her on twitter at @nystacey.  She lives in New York, not very far from her favorite hockey team’s practice facility.

 

Unwanted Proposal- an adult romance by J.N. Johnson

I have author J.N. Johnson visiting the site this week to promote her new adult romance, Unwanted Proposal. Read the synopsis and find it online now!

Caleb Myers watched as his sister and brother-in-law, Joshua, drove away from Clearwater for a much needed vacation, leaving him to housesit, and take care of the family business. The idea of a long weekend of peace and quiet at their country cabin turned out to be a short-lived dream when a phone call from his employee at Winter Lilly’s Outfitters brings news of an unwanted visitor. Riley Campbell wants nothing more out of life than to impress the pig-headed bosses who like to use her as client eye candy at her Houston law firm, and put her career on the fast track for partner. Nothing made her happier than legal battles and paper pushing, but when she is sent miles from her normal city life, and thrown into the country setting of Clearwater, Wyoming, she fears she may have met her match. With an offer in hand to buy Winter Lilly’s Outfitters, Riley tries to convince Caleb to take the deal, but his good ole boy ways, country charms, and fierce loyalty leaves her wanting more than just his name on the dotted line. Can two people from opposite worlds come together under such an Unwanted Proposal?

Amazon WEBSITE FACEBOOK
CLEARWATER WEBSITE

 

 

 

Author Bio

Living in her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, JN Johnson is the proud mother of two beautiful little girls and is married to her high school sweetheart (and greatest supporter ) whom she considers the rock that keeps her grounded.
She was first introduced to the world of fantasy when she was seven years old reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe making her never want to read about “the real world” again. Her mother and grandmother’s love of romance novels gave her the opportunity to learn about book trading, taking all of their old books to the local flea market to trade for anything that sparked her interest. Those days are long gone; her books now stay safely on her book shelves at home and out of harm’s way.

Giveaway- YA Blogfest! And Unwanted Proposal- by J.N.Johnson

A Rafflecopter giveaway for Linked Through Time!

Also check out these other blogs participating in YA giveaways this month!
2013 YA Blogfest

Preview- Adult Romance:
UNWANTED PROPOSAL
by J.N. Johnson

Caleb Myers watched as his sister and brother-in-law, Joshua, drove away from Clearwater for a much needed vacation, leaving him to housesit, and take care of the family business. The idea of a long weekend of peace and quiet at their country cabin turned out to be a short-lived dream when a phone call from his employee at Winter Lilly’s Outfitters brings news of an unwanted visitor. Riley Campbell wants nothing more out of life than to impress the pig-headed bosses who like to use her as client eye candy at her Houston law firm, and put her career on the fast track for partner. Nothing made her happier than legal battles and paper pushing, but when she is sent miles from her normal city life, and thrown into the country setting of Clearwater, Wyoming, she fears she may have met her match. With an offer in hand to buy Winter Lilly’s Outfitters, Riley tries to convince Caleb to take the deal, but his good ole boy ways, country charms, and fierce loyalty leaves her wanting more than just his name on the dotted line. Can two people from opposite worlds come together under such an Unwanted Proposal?

Amazon WEBSITE FACEBOOK
CLEARWATER WEBSITE

Living in her hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, JN Johnson is the proud mother of two beautiful little girls and is married to her high school sweetheart (and greatest supporter ) whom she considers the rock that keeps her grounded.
She was first introduced to the world of fantasy when she was seven years old reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe making her never want to read about “the real world” again. Her mother and grandmother’s love of romance novels gave her the opportunity to learn about book trading, taking all of their old books to the local flea market to trade for anything that sparked her interest. Those days are long gone; her books now stay safely on her book shelves at home and out of harm’s way.